April 7, 2005
Xinhuanet
GAZA -- The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) warned on Thursday that any attempt by Jewish rightists to storm the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem will constitute a resounding crime with grave consequences.
"The Zionists will have whole responsibility for the expected consequences of such a crime," Hamas said in a leaflet.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's intrusion into the al-Aqsa Mosque in September 2000 triggered over four years of bloodshed between the Palestinians and Israelis.
Hamas warned that a similar serious crime would lead to a resumption of violence, which was put to an end by a ceasefire deal on Feb. 8 between Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon.
The compound where the al-Aqsa Mosque stands, called by Muslims al-Haram al-Sharif and revered by Jews as the Temple Mount, is Judaism's holiest site and one of Islam's most sacred shrines.
Media reports said thousands of right-wing Jewish activists plan to visit the flash point site on Sunday as they are trying to disrupt the expected Israeli withdrawal from Gaza this summer.
Hamas accused the Jewish rightists of attempting to demolish the holy site and rebuild their own temple.
The Islamic group said any attack on the mosque will be aggression on all Muslim countries and ignite confrontations.
Meanwhile, Hamas urged all Palestinian Jerusalemites and all those who can reach Jerusalem to rally in the mosque starting from Saturday to defend the holy site.
Moreover, the group planned to stage massive demonstrations on Friday and Sunday across the territories to protest against possible Jewish attacks on the mosque.
Hamas also appealed to the Arab and Muslim clerics to launch a campaign in defense of the al-Aqsa Mosque. Enditem
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